How do "lines/shifts" of players work in ice hockey?

Question

i was just wondering exactly how lines of players work in ice hockey. i know that a line consists of a right wing, left wing, center, and a defensive pair, and that they go on in shifts - most of the time with the same group of players. i want to know how you know when to switch lines, and how defensemen fit in to those line changes.

Answer 1

The defence pair and the forwards work at different shifts. The line changes after only a few minutes because of fatigue, or the couch wants certain players on the ice against certain lines of the opposing team. There are also players who form 'speciality lines', like for penelty killing or power play..( man advantage). There is also a 'checking line' composed of players who check the opposing teams top players. The lines change shifts either because of fatigue, or because of a stoppage in play, so that they do not tire out by the 3rd period.

Answer 2

Usually a coach will give out lines before a game (In my expirence) or the day before. There are 3-4 offensive lines and 2-4 defensive lines. (Now this is how it's worked usually) There is most likely 2-3 coaches. 1-2 coaches get the offensive lines (They decide what line goes on, and when they go on), 1-2 coaches get the defensive lines. They are in charge of either one. They only consult with each other if something happens (Penalty, mix up, etc., etc.). Ex: The coach (For the offensive or defensive lines) will say: "Line 1 go"-Line 1 jumps on the ice. "Line 3 go"-Line 3 jumps on the ice, etc., etc...

The other way is you get assigned a line (For me I'm either line 1 center, or line 2 center.), and line 1 starts the game, then once line 1 is tired/done, line 2 jumps out, once they're done/tired line 3 goes on, etc., etc.......

Hoped I helped.

Answer 3

In the NHL, each team dresses 18 skaters and 2 goalies.

Usually that means 12 forwards and 6 defensemen. 4 lines of 3 forwards and 3 pairs of defensemen.

There are two types of line changes. A team can change players any time play stops for a new face-off. The home team gets the advantage of making their change after the visiting team has put its players on the ice.

The other type of change is "on the fly", which means that players go on and off the ice while play is still going.

Coaches change lines for two reasons:

1. Fatigue

2. To get the best players on the ice for the current situation (Power Play, Penalty Kill, defending a lead, trying to score).

Defensemen follow the same procedures as forwards, except that Dmen tend to play more minutes/game (3 pairs vs 4 fwd lines). Coaches do often try to match the skills of their D with the skills of their forwards.

Some coaches keep set lines, others (like Scotty Bowman) mix and match players constantly without regard to fixed lines.